Politicians visit theatre

A NSW Parliamentary Standing Committee recently visited the Woy Woy Little Theatre as part of an inquiry into the arts and cultural plan for the state.

The cultural plan will be aligned with broad government planning strategies for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure outside the Sydney CBD, including regional areas, according to Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews.

"The inquiry received a large number of submissions from councils and organisations, including the Central Coast," Ms Andrews said.

"Following this, members of the committee agreed to a study tour of the region on April 30 and May 1, to undertake further investigations into issues raised in those submissions."

Ms Andrews said other sites were also visited by the committee, including Laycock St Theatre, Gosford Regional Art Gallery and the Youth Arts Warehouse run by Regional Youth Support Services.

She said the committee also met with councillors and officers of Gosford and Wyong councils who were involved in the delivery of local cultural and arts programs and also representatives of a number of organisations.

"This visit has provided committee members with the unique opportunity to obtain first-hand from local art lovers and activists, their suggestions on the development of the state plan," Ms Andrews said.

Press release, 1 May 2009 Marie Andrews, Member for Gosford